ROBERT O'KEEFE

ROBERT PORTER O'KEEFE (Age 97)  
Passed away peacefully at home due to complications of COVID 19 on Sunday, January 3, 2021. Bob was formerly of Burke and Hardyville, VA, and most recently of Hampton, VA. He passed away 24 days before his 98th birthday. Bob was born in Portland, ME; spent his childhood in Carthage, NY; and graduated high school in Buffalo, NY where he was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. He served for 42 years in the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of Lt. Colonel, and in federal government. His challenging career brought Bob and his family to Newfoundland, Canada; Livorno, Italy; Naha, Okinawa; and repeatedly to the Tidewater and Northern Virginia areas. During military service Bob served assignments in Fort Indiantown Gap, PA; Camp Kilmer, NJ; Okinawa; and Korea.Bob had a long and happy retirement near Deltaville, VA. He continued into his eighties to sail his cherished sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay, to Nova Scotia, the Bahamas, and along the Florida Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. He attended the Catholic Church of the Visitation in Hardyville, VA where he proudly served on the Diocesan Pastoral Council and performed prison ministry.Bob spent the past 11 years living independently and contentedly at The Chamberlin on historic Ft. Monroe, VA where he enjoyed many warm friendships and his close proximity to theHampton Roads waterfront. He attended St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church and was a benefactor to its school. Bob generously supported many charitable, social issue and political groups, including the area food bank, capital punishment and the Democratic Party.Bob was a devoted husband to Louise Ciliberti O'Keefe, who passed away in 1994 after 49 years of marriage, and was a loving father to Nancy (Weimar), Robert, Jr. (Justine), Jim (Yasuyo), and Katy. He was an engaged and supportive grandfather to Christine, Samantha,Robbie, and Emily; great-grandfather to Ashley, Eric, Riley, Darcy, Trenton; and great-great-grandfather to Ellie, Amelia, and Theo. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Harold Francis and Adelaide Porter and brother, Harold F. O'Keefe Jr.A Memorial Service will be held at The Chamberlin, Ft. Monroe VA on a date to be determined, followed by a Graveside service at the Church of the Visitation, Hardyville, VA. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.